Small Group Travel Blog: Expert Travel Tips, Destination Guides & Tour Advice

Welcome to the Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor travel blog, featuring expert travel tips, destination guides, cruise advice, airfare strategies, packing suggestions, and first-hand insights from more than 17 years of planning small group tours.

Since 2009, we have helped solo travelers, couples, and friends enjoy adults-only small group tours and luxury river cruises with quality hotels, expert local guides, thoughtful pacing, and personal service.

Explore articles on Scotland, Ireland, Norway, Iceland, Peru, Newfoundland, Paris, Normandy, Santa Fe, Canada, Italy, and AmaWaterways river cruises — then view our current Small Group Tours and River Cruises.

13Dec

Our Biggest Cruise News Yet: Introducing Two New AMA Waterways Cruises for 2027

Two Exciting New River Cruises Announced by The Traveling Professor

The Traveling Professor is thrilled to introduce two brand-new AMA Waterways river cruises for 2027—and they are truly exceptional opportunities for travelers who love small-group experiences, luxury ships, and remarkable itineraries.

As many travelers know, The Traveling Professor is well established in the travel community, and over the years we’ve been approached by many cruise companies. We patiently waited for the right partnership—one that offered premium itineraries, outstanding service, and real value for our travelers. That moment has finally arrived.

We are proud to partner with AMA Waterways, one of Europe’s most respected luxury river cruise lines. Their offer combined prime itineraries, prime dates, and pricing so attractive we simply couldn’t pass it up. These 2027 departures deliver world-class cruising paired with our signature small-group attention, personalized service, and a warm, welcoming travel atmosphere.


🌷 Tulip Time River Cruise — April 2027 (Roundtrip Amsterdam)

Celebrate the beauty of spring on a stunning Tulip Time River Cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium. This seasonal favorite is perfectly timed for peak tulip bloom and offers unforgettable scenery at every turn. Stroll through the legendary Keukenhof Gardens, where millions of vibrant flowers blanket the landscape, and enjoy the charming floral displays at Floralia. Sail past the iconic Kinderdijk windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Holland’s most photogenic treasures. It’s an enchanting European spring getaway, ideal for couples, solo travelers, and garden lovers.


🎄 Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas Markets Cruise — December 7–14, 2027

Experience Europe at its most magical on our Swiss Alps and Rhine Castles Christmas Markets River Cruise, sailing from Amsterdam to Basel aboard the luxurious AmaVenita. This itinerary blends festive markets, scenic rivers, and centuries-old towns illuminated for the holidays. Travelers will enjoy AMA Waterways’ award-winning ships and service, paired with The Traveling Professor’s small-group expertise and thoughtful guiding. Sip mulled wine, browse traditional markets, visit storybook villages, and soak up the warmth of the holiday season—all while sailing through some of Europe’s most breathtaking winter landscapes.

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Who Writes the Small Group Tour Blog?

Professor Steve Solosky, The Traveling Professor, is the founder of Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor, operating since 2009. A former college professor and author of The Traveling Professor’s Guide to Paris, Steve has planned and led small group tours throughout Europe, Canada, South America, and beyond. His travel expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, WCBS Radio, and The New York Times Travel Show.

Each article is written or reviewed from the perspective of a working tour operator who plans real itineraries, works with local guides and hotels, and helps travelers prepare for successful small group trips.

Receive destination ideas, travel tips, early tour announcements, and special offers from Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor.

Since 2009 | IATA Accredited | JourneyWoman Partner | AmaWaterways Certified Advisor | Google Reviews | NTA Member